Two thousand years ago, the Greeks and Romans used silver containers to hold and protect perishable liquids against harmful organisms. Silver containers were used until the invention of refrigeration to protect food liquids such as milk from spoiling.
Using silver in the medical setting came into practice about one hundred and fifty years ago as a means to protect the body against infection. It remained popular against harmful organisms until the advent of antibiotics.
What is Colloidal Silver?
Colloidal silver is a preparation of silver particles in a pure solution. When properly produced, these microscopic silver particles carry a positive ionic charge that makes them effective against harmful organisms.
Colloidal silver produced with high voltage technology is the most bioavailable and safest form of silver. Silver products made with low voltage means are lower quality and can be ineffective and even contribute to argyria if consumed in excess. This is why it is so crucial to seek out a high-quality colloidal silver supplement produced with high voltage technology from the purest silver and distilled water available.
How is Silver Harmful to Harmful Organisms?
When positive silver ions encounter harmful anaerobic organisms like single-celled bacteria and fungus, it binds to the cell wall. The silver ions absorb into the organism and, once inside, disrupt cellular function and neutralizes the organism. [1]
The complete mechanism of this action remains to be determined. Silver appears to disrupt energy production within the cell of the bacteria. Additionally, silver may oxidize organisms, disrupt cellular respiration, and affect the enzymes in their environment in a way that makes it impossible for harmful organisms to thrive.
How it affects viruses is somewhat different, possibly oxidizing the virus and reducing its function. Some believe silver directly affects the DNA of the organism. This may deactivate the virus, making it inert and no longer harmful.
How Effective is Colloidal Silver?
A 1978 article published in Science Digest reported on clinical studies supporting silver as a potent killer of 650 live tested organisms. The research showed that silver was even successful against resistant strains. Research performed at UCLA Medical Labs verified these findings, documenting how colloidal silver was effective against a variety of live viruses. [2]
Polish researchers conducted a recent study pitting colloidal silver against several common harmful organisms. [3] The success of these tests relied on a colloidal silver product containing the smallest possible silver particles.
Although many organisms have adapted to resist antibiotics, silver’s cellular disruption continues to remain effective against common damaging compounds. Fortunately, silver is nontoxic and shows no sign of micro-organism resistance.
Not All Silver is Created Equal
According to a 1992 Italian study by the Institute of Microbiology, pure electro-colloidal silver worked up to 100 times better than all other forms of silver. Solutions with smaller particle sizes (.005 microns or smaller) allow for a wider distribution of silver particles. The silver particles must also carry a positive electrical charge, as is found in quality preparations of colloidal silver. When choosing a silver solution, the highest quality and purity are necessary for maximum effectiveness and safety.
As with any product you ingest, the higher the quality, the better the results and the less likely the chance of side effects. Colloidal silver produced with high voltage technology does not cause the side effects that can occur with the ingestion of large silver salts or silver particles. Argyria, or the blueing of the skin, can result from ingesting large silver particles. To avoid argyria, it is important that you choose a silver supplement with small silver particles.
Before you invest in a colloidal silver, do your research into any products you’re considering and make sure all these factors add up. I personally use and recommend Silver Fuzion. Do you take colloidal silver? Why, or why not? Please leave us your answer in the comment section to let us know your thoughts on this product!
– Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM – www.globalhealingcenter.com
References:
- Lansdown AB. A review of the use of silver in wound care: facts and fallacies. Br J Nurs. 2004 Mar;13(6 Suppl):S6-19. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15126971
- Coburn, Dhyana L., Dignan, Patrick D. The Wonders of Colloidal Silver. 1997.
- Pokrowiecki R1, Zareba T2, Mielczarek A3, Opaliska A4, Wojnarowicz J4, Majkowski M5, Lojkowski W4, Tyski S2. Evaluation of biocidal properties of silver nanoparticles against cariogenic bacteria. Med Dosw Mikrobiol. 2013;65(3):197-206. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24432559
About the author:
Dr. Edward F. Group III (DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM) founded Global Healing Center in 1998 and is currently the Chief Executive Officer. Heading up the research and development team, Dr. Group assumes a hands-on approach in producing new and advanced degenerative disease products and information.
Dr. Group has studied natural healing methods for over 20 years and now teaches individuals and practitioners all around the world. He no longer sees patients but solely concentrates on spreading the word of health and wellness to the global community. Under his leadership, Global Healing Center, Inc. has earned recognition as one of the largest alternative, natural and organic health resources on the internet.